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Is this a GST coup? Media ‘barred’ from assembly, trade leaders detained

GST Assembly session carried out behind closed doors, as the media was not allowed inside with phones and laptops.

Police outside trade leaders’ residences, many detained. 

Srinagar : On the day one (Tuesday) of the special session of the Assembly for the Goods and services Tax (GST), media boycotted the session after electronic devices including mobiles and laptops were not allowed inside the press gallery of the assembly hall.

Only reporters were allowed. However, media persons have decided not to cover the session in such circumstances.

Media persons have decided not to cover the session after electronic devices of reporters were not allowed inside the assembly.

Prior to the session, some prominent trade leaders were detained. Among the detained were trade leader Yaseen Khan, President, Kashmir economic alliance (KEA), and Haji Muzaffar, senior vice president, Federation of chambers of Industries Kashmir (FCIK).

Sources the KEA saud said that police raided Yaseen Khan’s residence and arrested Khan early in the morning and moved him to some undisclosed destination.

Police forces have been placed outside Muhammad Ashraf Mir’s residence.

This comes after trade leaders had been detained previously this month on July 1, when they were detained for protesting against GST.

Opposition also raised the issue as National Conference’s (NC) Devinder Rana said that emergency has been imposed by barring media. CPI(M) leader and MLA Mohammad Yousuf Tarigami, had yesterday said that barring media will deprive people of information which will lead to rumours.

However, the speaker Kavinder Gupta said that information department has already issued cards and regulations.

The assembly was adjourned after the opposition raised the issue of  regulation of the media in covering the special session on GST. NC, Congress and other opposition parties said that they will not be part of any proceeding in which media will be deliberately kept away.

MLA Langate Er Rasheed said, “There was a huge scuffle between me and PDP members. They snatched the mike and papers from Drabu and raised pro-freedom slogans.”

Unconfirmed reports of change of governor have been received.

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